US7585254B1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US7585254B1
Application number: US11/354,797
Authority: US
Inventors: Suzanne R. Vittone; Larry W. Vittone
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-02-15
Filing date: 2006-02-15
Publication date: 2009-09-08

Abstract

An exercise machine, including an elastic band and a tension fulcrum positioned so that the band extends around the tension fulcrum to provide resistance exercise to the user.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure relates generally to exercise devices. More particularly, the disclosure relates to exercise machines of the type utilizing resistance bands.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Treadmills and other perambulatory exercise devices such as walkers, ellipticals, and the like often incorporate handles, poles or the like which are independently movable of one another for enabling the user to achieve additional exercise of the upper body. In one aspect, it has been discovered that significant improvements may be achieved by incorporating one or more resistance bands into such exercise devices.

In this regard, one aspect of the disclosure relates to an improved exercise device of the type having independently movable handles which offers enhanced exercise attributes. In a preferred embodiment, the device includes an elongate handle member having a first portion pivotally mounted to a base and a second portion opposite the first portion and configured for grasping by a user; and a resistance system operable with the handle.

The resistance system includes an elastic band having a first end portion connected to the elongate handle member adjacent the first portion of the handle, a second end portion fixedly positionable relative to the first end portion of the elastic band, and a tension fulcrum positioned so that the band extends around the tension fulcrum. As the elongate handle member is moved in a first direction the movement thereof is resisted by the band to provide resistance exercise to the user.

In other aspects, the resistance system may be adapted to a wide variety of exercise devices to provide resistance to exercise motion. In such devices, which includes treadmill devices, the exercise device includes a user engaging member with which a user interacts with during performance of an exercise. A resistance system operably associated with the user engaging member to provide resistance exercise to the user during movement of the user engaging member by the user.

The resistance system includes an elastic band having a first end portion connected to the user engaging member, a second end portion fixedly positionable relative to the first end portion of the elastic band, and a tension fulcrum positioned so that the band extends around the tension fulcrum such that as the user engaging member is moved in a first direction the movement thereof is resisted by the band to provide resistance exercise to the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features of preferred embodiments of the invention will become apparent by reference to the detailed description of preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the figures, which are not to scale, wherein like reference numbers, indicate like elements through the several views, and wherein,

FIG. 1 is side view of an exercise device in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a close-up view of a handle and an associated resistance system of the device ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment of a resistance system.

FIG. 4 is a close-up view of a portion of the resistance system ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of a resistance system.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of another embodiment of an exercise machine having sliding handle members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference toFIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown anexercise machine10 having one or more independentlyelongate handle members12, and aresistance system14 operatively associated with each of themembers12. Theexercise machine10 is shown as atreadmill16 having aframe18 supporting amovable tread20 upon which a user is supported.

Thetreadmill16 shown inFIG. 1 is a conventional treadmill of the type having an electrical motor driving thetread20. Theframe18 of thetreadmill16 includes a pair ofstationary handles22. Thetreadmill16 has been modified according to the disclosure to include theelongate handle members12 and theresistance systems14, as described below.

Theelongate handle members12 may be provided as bypoles24 having alower end portion26 pivotally connected to a base, preferably provided by a portion of theframe18 or other substantially immobile structure, as by a fastener, such asbolt28. To limit the travel of thepoles24,rods30 each having astop32 may be provided on theframe18. An upper portion of each of thepoles24 is configured for grasping by the user. The user may grasp thepoles24 and independently pivot thepoles24 in a forward and rearward direction, with the forward extent of travel limited by theresistance systems14 and the rearward extent of travel limited by thestops32. An upper portion of each of thepoles24 preferably includes aconnector34, such as a hook or other projection for connection of theresistance systems14 thereto.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, eachresistance system14 preferably includes aresistance band40 having afirst end42 connected to thepole24 via theconnector34 and asecond end44 positioned so that theband40 extends around atension fulcrum46, preferably provided as by a carriage roller rotatably secured to thestationary handle22. In this regard, it is preferred that thetension fulcrum46 be provided by a roller or the like such that when force is exerted by the user to stretch theband40, thefulcrum46 rolls theband40 in the direction of the force exerted by the user. As a result, the band stretches more between the handle and the tension fulcrum than between the fulcrum and the opposite end of the band. This relative stretching has been observed to provide a smooth exercise motion for the user.

Thetension fulcrum46 is desirably positioned such that as thepole24 is moved forward from a position corresponding to the location of thestop32, as indicated by the arrow F (FIG. 2), the movement of thepole24 is resisted by theband40 to provide resistance exercise to the user. Theend44 may be secured in position to maintain the desired position of theband40 around thetension fulcrum46, such as by securing theend44 to a lower end of thepole24, to theframe18, or other fixed point.

A desired pre-set tension may independently be applied to each of thebands40 as by selecting an appropriate length of band material. In this regard, a preferred band material is made of synthetic rubber materials such as latex or other elastomeric rubber-like materials. Alternatively, a length ofcable48 may be connected to theend44 of theband40 and secured to a fixed point to apply a desired pre-set tension to theband40. For example, acable clamp50 or other cable securing structure may be provided on the end of the fastener used to mount thetension fulcrum46 or other fixed point for adjustably fixing the length of thecable48 that extends between theend44 of theband40 and theclamp50 to allow adjustment of the pre-set tension of theband40. To facilitate this, acable fulcrum52, such as a pulley or the like may be secured to theframe18 or other fixed point for positioning of thecable44. In this regard, it will be understood that the pre-set tension of theband40 is the tension of theband40 when thepole24 is at rest against thestop32.

To use themachine10, a user may stand on thetread20 and grasp thepoles24 while performing a perambulatory motion to resist the movement of the tread. To enhance the exercise experience, the user may urge thepoles24, independently or simultaneously, or in an alternating fashion, in the direction of the arrow F as the user performs the perambulatory motion. It has been observed that such action by the user will provide resistance exercise for many body parts, including the arms, stomach, back, and legs to provide an overall exercise experience in excess of that experienced by simply resisting the motion of thetread20 and not utilizing thepoles24. The pre-set tensions of thebands40 may be adjusted to provide the desired resistance.

With reference now toFIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown an alternate embodiment of aresistance system14′. Theresistance system14′ is substantially similar to theresistance system14, except the position of thetension fulcrum46 is adjustable. Also, as seen, theend44 of theband40 is secured to a fixed point, such as the lower end of thepole24, or theframe18, such that thecable48 is not utilized.

To enable adjustment of the position of thetension fulcrum46, theresistance system14′ includes anadjustable fulcrum mount60, preferably located on thehandle22 or other portion of the frame. Themount60 includes aplate62 secured to thehandle22 and apivot member64 pivotally mounted to theplate62 as by afastener66 or the like. Theplate62 includes a plurality ofapertures68 for receiving a pin or other stop adjustably positionable within theapertures68 to limit the downward travel of thepivot member64. The pre-set tension of theband40 is greater the higher the placement of the pin. For example, maintaining thefulcrum46 at the position shown inFIG. 4 yields a greater pre-set position than does the fulcrum position depicted inFIG. 3.

Thefulcrum46 is preferably rotatably connected to thepivot member46 as by afastener #72, with ahandle74 preferably being included for enabling a user to grasp as seen inFIG. 4 to facilitate adjustment of the position of thefulcrum46. That is, the user may grasp thehandle74 to pivot themember64 upwardly away from the pin (against the resistance of the band40) so that the pin may be relocated to a different one of theapertures68, after which thehandle74 is released such that the tension of theband40 urges thepivot member64 against the pin.

With reference toFIG. 5, there is shown an alternate embodiment of aresistance system14″. Theresistance system14″ is substantially similar to the

resistance systems

14 and14′, except that theband40 travels around one or moreadditional rollers80 in addition to thetension fulcrum46 to render the band in a substantially compact, such as serpentine, configuration. As will be appreciated, this configuration enables the use of a relatively long band in a compact space. Thus, this configuration of a resistance system is particularly configured for compact exercise machines.

With reference toFIG. 6, there is shown an alternate embodiment of an exercise machine which substantially corresponds to theexercise machine10, but havinghandle system12′ instead of handles12. Thehandle system12′ includesslides90 which slidingly travel alongguides92 mounted to theframe18. Ahand grip94 extends between theslides90 for grasping by a user. Theslides90 may be provided as by cylinders, preferably including interior bearings, which travel along theguides92, which may be rods, for example. The end of theband40 of the

resistance system

14,14′, or14″ may be connected to the hand grip96 as byconnector34′, which may correspond to theconnector34.

While the exercise machines are described herein as a treadmill, it will be understood, that the exercise machines may be of other configuration such as an elliptical machine or stationary bicycle, or stair climber or the like. Theexercise machine10 may also be otherwise configured, such as a weight lifting or resistance exercise device, with the resistance system incorporated to provide or enhance exercise resistance.

In the various configurations of the exercise machine, it will be understood that the exercise device includes a user engaging member with which a user interacts with during performance of an exercise. For example, thehandle members12 or other user engaging devices such as a pull handle or leg engaging member or the like with which the user interacts for exercise. A resistance system is operably associated with the user engaging member to provide resistance exercise to the user during movement of the user engaging member by the user.

The foregoing description of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been provided for purposes of illustration only, and it is understood that numerous modifications or alterations may be made in and to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An exercise machine, comprising: an elongate handle member having a first portion pivotally mounted to a base and a second portion opposite the first portion and configured for grasping by a user; and a resistance system comprising an elastic band having a first end portion connected to the elongate handle member adjacent the second portion of the handle, a second end portion fixedly positionable relative to the first end portion of the elastic band, and a tension fulcrum positioned so that the band extends around the tension fulcrum such that as the elongate handle member is moved in a first direction the movement thereof is resisted by the band to provide resistance exercise to the user.

2. The exercise system ofclaim 1, wherein the exercise machine comprises a treadmill.

3. The exercise machine ofclaim 1, wherein the elastic band is made of an elastomeric material.

4. The exercise machine ofclaim 1, further comprising a stop configured to limit the extent of movement of the handle in a second direction different from the first direction.

5. The exercise machine ofclaim 1, further comprising a length of cable connected to an end of the elastic band and secured to a fixed point to apply a desired pre-set tension to the band.

6. The exercise machine ofclaim 1, wherein the tension fulcrum is adjustably positionable to adjust a pre-set tension of the elastic band.

7. The exercise machine ofclaim 1, wherein the tension fulcrum comprises a roller and when force is exerted by a user to stretch the band, the fulcrum rolls the band in the direction of the force exerted by the user so that the band stretches more between the first end portion of the band and the tension fulcrum than between the fulcrum and the second end portion of the band.

8. An exercise machine, comprising: a user engaging member with which a user interacts with during performance of an exercise, and a resistance system operably associated with the user engaging member to provide resistance exercise to the user during movement of the user engaging member by the user, the user engaging system comprising a slide which travels along a guide, with a hand grip connected to the slide and configured for grasping by a user, and the resistance system comprising an elastic band having a first end portion connected to the user engaging member, a second end portion fixedly positionable relative to the first end portion of the elastic band, and a tension fulcrum positioned so that the band extends around the tension fulcrum such that as the user engaging member is moved in a first direction the movement thereof is resisted by the band to provide resistance exercise to the user.

9. An exercise machine, comprising: a user engaging member with which a user interacts with during performance of an exercise, and a resistance system operably associated with the user engaging member to provide resistance exercise to the user during movement of the user engaging member by the user, the resistance system comprising an elastic band having a first end portion connected to the user engaging member, a second end portion fixedly positionable relative to the first end portion of the elastic band, and a tension fulcrum positioned so that the band extends around the tension fulcrum such that as the user engaging member is moved in a first direction the movement thereof is resisted by the band to provide resistance exercise to the user, wherein the band is positioned around one or more rollers in addition to the tension fulcrum to render the band in a substantially compact configuration.